Garryowen FC Notes w.e 17th Dec 2006.
Any
thoughts of a Dooradoyle version of the Mexican Wave last Saturday never
materialised. One could have been duped into thinking the “grounds full” sign
was up as the traffic crawled ominiously towards the
shopping centre. Those brave souls on the inside witnessed a Houdini style
comeback as we somehow rescued an AIL victory from the jaws of defeat by
beating a brave Lansdowne team 16-15. Seldom will a win be greeted with such
relief and we go into our final game away to Buccaneers on Saturday in the
knowledge that our performance needs to be more consistent if we are to come
home with the spoils. The first half was a mixed bag with our pack holding the
edge up front early on. Conor Kilroy kicked a penalty and we appeared comfortable
until we conceded a converted try to the visitors following a defensive error.
Stunned into action we laid siege on the Lansdowne line and it was Frederico Quaglia who
bagged his first try for the club when driven over near the post. We seemed to go
flat after that and a number of missed gilt edged penalty opportunities left us
vulnerable to the counter attack. Sure enough that’s what happened when Robbie
Dolan was given far too much space to scamper over in the corner. Captain Paul
Neville incurred a head injury while attempting a last ditch tackle and his
departure had an unsettling effect on our boys for a while. Donal Sheehan was
introduced into the second row and his succession of line-out takes provided
quality ball for his half-backs. Eoghan Hickey tried to change the pattern
of his three quarters when he replaced Conan Doyle, but it was Alan Kingsley
who got us back in with a chance when he somehow dropped a goal following a
messy feed from a ruck inside the Lansdowne 22. 13-15 and two
minutes to go. Could we still do it ?
Accustomed to "late-late shows" going against us, no-one could begrudge our right
to the points when we pinched a line-out and the rolling maul pressurised at
least two defenders into the inevitable penalty concession. Eoghan Hickey
gleefully accepted the offer near the posts and our unbeaten AIL run at home this year
was maintained. John Staunton and Mark Melbourne had big games in the pack and Donal Sheehan on his introduction wasn't far behind. Frederico Quaglia was always in the thick of the action and Alan Kingsley showed some lovely touches when pressed into duty late in the game. Earlier on the back pitch, our U20's had too much power for Cork Con when scoring five tries in their 35-7 win. Willie Staunton at outhalf was always in command of the situation and Diarmuid Waters linked nicely inside. This was our second win on the trot in the AIL and the team will have been encouraged by their improvement in form on their previous outing. The lion-hearted Sean Hogan and James Carroll both helped themselves to two tries and full back Shane Moloney also touched down.Willie Staunton kicked a full set of points and Diarmuid Waters landed a conversion. Conditions for the MSL v Cork Con in Temple Hill were particularly bleek last Sunday.An early try by the home side